The Induction Dynamics ID1’s are very unique speakers in many ways. One quality that screams for attention is their panoply of 5 active drivers, each of which is specially chosen to fulfill its specific role in the system. Secondly, the ID1’s are quite tall with an unusually shallow cabinet. One would think these speakers would have special bases or spikes to stabilize their awkward equilibrium, but they do not.

These are the most obvious differentiators. But might there be any less obvious features that make these speakers stand out further still? Well, duh, YES! That would be in the dual subs that can be driven separately. This is not via the typical vertical bi-amped method shared by virtually every other speaker with dual binding posts. Nope, these bad boys require outboard bass management via a pre pro, receiver or active crossover along with dedicated amps for the subs. What other speaker companies do this? None in my experience. That’s how many.

The speakers have a switch on the back where they can operate as a stereo pair (4-way) or as a stereo pair with sub (3-way). If you select 3-way, then you will need an active crossover (or receiver with bass management) and separate amp for the subwoofers. Then you would remove the binding posts straps and wire the upper and lower units individually. The main advantage of doing this would be a theoretical increase in headroom.

If you just use the ID1’s as a stereo pair, then you set the switch to 4-way operation, leave the binding post jumpers in place and then drive them with a nice stereo amp or a pair of monoblocks. You cannot vertical bi amp these speakers.

I used them as a stereo pair throughout my review. I wanted to test them using a Krell s550i integrated amp. This amp is conservatively rated to deliver 275 watts per channel into 8 ohms. It also has a superior resistor ladder network volume control versus the mass market volume control on the LSI chip that is in my surround processor. LSI’s are thoroughly explained by Dr. David Rich in this technical article. Why would I use the surround processor when I want to test these speakers in the most favorable light? Be that as it may, the Krell integrated was able to drive these speakers to near concert levels without any hint of strain and firmly gripped the subs all the while.

Speaking of the subs, Induction Dynamics hasn’t spared any of their own special technologies in this important aspect of the speakers’ design. The ID1’s have dual 10” mica-graphite poly cone subwoofers. These high-performance drivers are accompanied by specialized filter circuits that eliminate resonance peaks and “produce a fuller sound expressing all bass frequencies”. These circuits also include excursion limiters that kick in when things heat up to keep the drivers’ distortion below audible limits (when used with the optional A2 subwoofer amplifier). It must take a lot to engage these limiters as the lower units are rated at 800 watts per channel!

The ID1’s also include the patented S4X™ Super Fourth-Order Crossover and driver-control technology. The basis of this design is a steep slope crossover network. It's claimed advantages include improvements in frequency response, phase and impedance. The steep slopes are said to allow Induction Dynamics the opportunity to specify the best possible drivers for each frequency range.

Induction Dynamics also promotes these speakers as having “Wide Angle™ phase alignment technology”. This is said to increase the usable listening window in both the vertical and horizontal planes. In practice, this worked really well for me. I started with the speakers about 12’ apart and 10’ from the listening position and I needed just the slightest scooch of toe-in for the stage to lock on with absolutely no hole in the middle. This is the least toe-in I have used with any speakers in the last few years.

The ID1 units I reviewed were gloss black. This is one of three standard finishes with the other two being Rosewood Gloss and Black Satin. You can also order yours with any of several custom paints and stain. Plus, the snap-on grilles are available in 63 different colors. Induction Dynamics also offers in-wall versions of these speakers.